Atlas FC only needed 90 seconds to take the lead against Toronto FC in the final match-up of the East 3. Picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Ecuador international Jordy Caicedo was able to fend off pressure from the defender and send a sweeping shot inside the far post.
It was the Club Tigres loanee’s first goal since joining the Guadalajara-based team, and he came close to a double on several occasions, hitting the post just before half-time and being denied by the crossbar towards the end of the game.
As was the case in their match against New York City FC, the Canadian outfit were unable to convert any of their chances, and have left Leagues Cup 2023 without finding the back of the net.
For the LIGA MX side, meanwhile, it’s a second 1-0 win in as many games, both victories secured with early goals. In the Round of 32, they’ll be taking on the New England Revolution. Should they beat the MLS side, Atlas FC will face either Pumas or Club Querétaro.
New York Red Bulls survived a furious end-of-match comeback by Atletico San Luis to earn a difficult 2-1 win and to advance to the knockout stage of Leagues Cup 2023.
As regulation time ticked away and the score tied 1-1, Atletico San Luis defender Unai Bilbao stood over the penalty spot with the chance to put his club into the lead and advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. But when he fired the shot to his left, New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel dove the correct away and punched the ball away to keep the match level and the Red Bulls alive.
Moments later New York’s Dante Vanzeir, who had already scored a goal earlier in the match, put the game away with a 92nd-minute goal. The win sets the stage for New York Red Bulls to square off against its city rivals New York City FC in the knockout rounds.
In only the second all-Mexican clash at Leagues Cup 2023, Querétaro managed to book their place in the knockout round against big brother club Tijuana in what was a highly contested match in Philadelphia. The underdogs took the lead late in the first half, as Emanuel Gularte found himself on the end of a cross to nod his side into the lead just before the break.
Miguel Herrera’s side pushed in the second half but the collective effort from Querétaro saw Los Gallos Blancos hold on to their lead with resolute determination. Los Albiazules went through having ceded 65% possession to their opposing team, but they made it count when it mattered most. They had two shots on target and scored one of them.
Querétaro will play Mexican giants Pumas in the round of 32 as their reward for their underdog achievement.
With Club León already confirmed as West 3 group winners, Sunday evening’s match-up between LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC had the group’s final knockout round spot on the line.
The California outfit were rewarded for their dominant start and took the lead after 15 minutes, as Riqui Puig’s sweeping finish from the edge of the box concluded a move that the Catalan had started himself from midfield.
Despite dominating possession for the rest of the match, the hosts were unable to double their lead - and eventually, were made to pay. A dramatic final ten minutes opened with an own goal by Galaxy defender Calegari, before Whitecaps striker Brian White scored a stoppage-time winner to haul his team into the Leagues Cup knockout stage. The Canadian side will take on West 1 winners Club Tigres in midweek in the Round of 32.
The Seattle Sounders had the dream start they were looking for in order to advance out of the group stage. But it soon became a nightmare as the club fell to LIGA MX side CF Monterrey 4-2 at home.
Just two minutes into the match, Seattle’s Nicholás Ldeiro smashed a free kick into the top right corner of the net to put the home team up early. Just four minutes later, Jordan Morris doubled the lead with a header to make it 2-0. That’s when Monterrey’s Germán Berterame put an end to the Sounders hopes.
The striker scored back-to-back goals (31’, 45+2’) before halftime to level the score 2-2 at the break. In the second half, teammate Jordi Cortizo scored in the 48th minute to make it 3-2 and Berterame added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute to make it 4-2. The win clinched the top spot in the group for CF Monterrey.
Unbeaten in 2023, it was another professional performance from Club Tigres to see off San José Earthquakes in their final group game of Leagues Cup 2023 to top their group.
In the 19th minute Uruguayan Fernando Gorriarán opened the scoring for Tigres, finishing off a well-worked move which punished a mistake from San José defender Rodriguez. There were chances equally for San José, who were looking to break on the counter attack in the first half.
Tigres came out strong in the second half, continuing to dominate the ball and carve out chances. San José, again, did well to hold their Mexican counterparts - and managed to threaten through Cade Cowell in the wide areas. The half continued, and the Quakes became more eager to make an imprint on the game, but they couldn’t get on the scoresheet despite some late pressure.
Los Auriazules will make the long trip to Vancouver Whitecaps in the round of 32 as their Leagues Cup 2023 journey continues.
